Iceland fulfilled England’s dire plea for ‘Brexit’ with a heart-rending display of direct football, just like Wales voted to ‘Remain’ against Northern Ireland.
Whether it was expected or not is a separate question, as for now it’s safe to say this England side was as poor as Russia, despite being through to the pre-quarters.
Whether you blame it on Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling – who by the way is a clear indication of why the currency has dropped to an all-time low – it is quite palpable that England have failed collectively.
Roy Hodgson, in the first place was a wasteful appointment following the departure of Fabio Capello. His squad failed ignominiously, as they invariably do in the World Cup 2014 and all he had to do was to put up an excuse that his squad needed a revamp and believe it or not he got that this time round.
Now his expectations were not that high but that fact that almost everybody felt England were good enough to edge past Iceland, that result turned catastrophic. Had Hodgson lost to France in the quarters and bowed out, he should not have to resign but things are way different now.
The fact that he has already resigned, let’s give a thought as to who should replace him and what pedigree should his successor must direly possess to avoid the inevitable in the future.
The list encapsulates some big names like Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce, Arsene Wenger, Alan Pardew and ex Paris Saint-Germain boss Lauren Blanc, however the most interesting name in it is that of the under-21 FA coach Gareth Southgate.
Bookies have predicted a likelihood of 7/10 for him to take over.
The last time Middlesbrough were in the English top flight, Southgate was at the managerial helm at the club. He enjoyed a three-year top flight spell before finishing nineteenth in the table and were relegated to the Championship in 2009.
As far as his club managerial experience is concerned that is it. In 2013 he became the coach of England U-21 and he successfully led them to the finals of the Championship 2015.
However all the hype is now pretty much over as he showed the remotest interest in the national team managerial role.
If he’s not picked it has to be Sam Allardyce. Arsene Wenger would be no different from Roy Hodgson and can hardly transform the squad. Allardyce is a tactical genius and has a tremendous wealth of experience having worked at the top flight since 2008.
Last season he safely navigated Sunderland to 17th in the table and should in all sense preferred over someone as Wenger or Blanc who in spite of his numerous attempts to take Paris Saint-Germain to the semis of the Champions League has failed.
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